Building a Walk In Shower Enclosure With Glass Block

A glass block walk in shower enclosure is a great type to have in any bathroom. This type of walk in shower enclosure is actually not that hard to install. The main thing is to make sure that you have quality products and the right people to help you. The process is moderately easy as long as you follow these simple steps.

The first thing to consider when making your custom shower enclosure is the base. It is important to choose the size and type of base that you will use during the design process, because the glass blocks cannot be readily cut to size. There are three main types of bases.

The first type is an acrylic base. The main advantage of this is
they are easy to clean, simple to install, and they have no seams. The
disadvantage of an acrylic base is they come in set sizes, which means
they cannot be easily customized, so they may not fit in all rooms.

The second type is a custom mud set pan base. The advantage of
using this type is that it is created on site, so it is always custom
made to fit in the exact area you need it to. The disadvantage is that
it is a time consuming process and if not done right, it is prone to
leaks and possibly future water damage.

The third type is a 100% waterproof extruded polystyrene foam
base. An advantage is this base can be customized and it does not
absorb water. Another advantage is it is fast and easy to install. The
disadvantage is that the price of this base is higher than others.

The second step when installing your walk in shower enclosure
is the materials used on the walls. It is important to use quality
materials on the adjoining walls that will be exposed to water spray.
Some examples may include green board or masonry boards because they
are water resistant. Another material to consider for shower enclosure
manufacturers would be a Wedi building panel. The advantage of this
material is it is light and easy to install, waterproof, and ready for
tile right after installation.

The third step would be to reinforce and anchor the glass block
shower wall. Two common anchoring and reinforcement systems include (1)
a vinyl stack horizontal and vertical spacers and (2) a galvanized wire
reinforcing and panel anchors. When anchoring your wall, it is
recommended to anchor it every 24" in height and to the adjoining
walls.

The fourth step would be to put the glass blocks in. The
easiest way is to buy prefabricated glass block wall sections and to
stack them on top of each other making sure to properly affix them with
the manufacturer’s recommended adhering agent.

When building your walk in shower enclosure
it is important to have the right people to help or back you up. Try to
find a contractor that is familiar with this type of project, and you
will enjoy a quality bathing enclosure for years to come.

Shower Wet Rooms: Opening Up More Bathroom SpaceSmaller bathrooms can be a bit tricky to renovate or remodel. However, there is one kind of renovating a person can try which will create a nice, operational and fashionable bathroom. For folks who have...

Wet Room Design TipsWet rooms are new alternatives to traditional bath and shower designs. They can provide clean, wide open spaces suited to more modern tastes. These are designed specifically to be waterproof in order to...